Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi
‘Dame Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi, a God-fearing and foremost woman of valour,’ says Pres. Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, and government and people of Abia State on the passing of Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.
In a message, the President affirmed that Lady Victoria’s incredible strength and exceptional courage during one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s history stands her as a mother of the nation, God-fearing and a foremost woman of valour.
“The President noted that the former First Lady will be remembered for laying a solid foundation for women’s leadership role in the seat of power and as a founding member of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association; she passionately championed the welfare and wellbeing of families of military officers.
“The President recognizes that 55 years after the death of General J.T Aguiyi-Ironsi, Lady Victoria never stopped working for the greater good of Nigeria, and for peace, stability, healing and reconciliation in the land.
“The President sincerely hopes that Lady Victoria’s labours for the country will not be in vain, and joins all Nigerians in praying for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those who mourn,” the statement read.
It would be recalled that wife of late General Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, first Nigerian Military Head of State and Nigeria’s second First Lady, Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, died in Umuahia, Abia State capital, at the age of 98.
She was reportedly admitted to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia few days ago and died early Monday morning at about 4 a.m.
Her son, Ambassador Tom Aguiyi Ironsi, confirmed the death of the matriarch of the Ironsi family.
The former Ambassador said in a telephone contact: “Yes, the news is true and we are going to address a Press Conference at Umuana on Friday to make public the details.”
Late Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s First Lady for seven months as her husband, Gen. Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first Nigerian Military Head of State, was killed in Ibadan in a countercoup led by late General Murtala Mohammed on July 29, 1966.
She married Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi as a student of Holy Rosary Convent School, Okigwe in 1953 at the aged of 16.
